CF SPORTS

Reaves leaving CF women's hoops

Courtesy of CF Sports Information

Published: Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 5:11 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 5:11 p.m.

Sharrona Reaves made a tough choice on Thursday.

Reaves, who spent last season as head coach of the College of Central Florida women's basketball team, resigned to become an assistant coach at the University of West Virginia, a place she coached at previously from 2003-2006.

"While I am very excited to return to West Virginia this was a really hard decision for me," said Reaves, who took over CF's program last October. "I have loved every moment about my experience here at CF and the city of Ocala.

"I would like to thank (CF athletic director) Bob Zelinski and (CF President) Dr. James Henningsen first and foremost for giving me this opportunity. This is a great college with great people."

Zelinski was appreciative of the efforts made by Reaves.

"We were very fortunate to have her here for the past year," Zelinski said. "We wish her the best at the University of West Virginia."

Reaves, who took over as CF's coach for Cheryl Rice, guided the Patriots through a rebuilding season that started slowly but finished with some promise.

CF won four of its final six games to close the regular season and missed qualifying for the FCSAA State Tournament by one game.

The Patriots finished 7-22 overall under Reaves.

"The student athletes that I have coached and recruited here are like my own daughters," Reaves said. "I will miss them dearly. Sharing my decision with them was tough, but I told them, they have to continue to work hard so that I can come back and recruit them, and we all felt good about that."

At WVU, Reaves will be reunited with head coach Mike Carey, who she coached under during her previous stint in Morgantown.

Reaves was an assistant for the Mountaineers when they reached their first-ever Big East Championship Game in 2006 and lost to UConn.

"I learned a lot from (Carey)," Reaves said. "I am excited about this opportunity and having the chance to coach in the Big-12."

Reaves' departure is the second at CF in two days. Softball coach Kerri Ryskamp resigned on Wednedsay.

<p>Sharrona Reaves made a tough choice on Thursday.</p><p>Reaves, who spent last season as head coach of the College of Central Florida women's basketball team, resigned to become an assistant coach at the University of West Virginia, a place she coached at previously from 2003-2006.</p><p>"While I am very excited to return to West Virginia this was a really hard decision for me," said Reaves, who took over CF's program last October. "I have loved every moment about my experience here at CF and the city of Ocala.</p><p>"I would like to thank (CF athletic director) Bob Zelinski and (CF President) Dr. James Henningsen first and foremost for giving me this opportunity. This is a great college with great people."</p><p>Zelinski was appreciative of the efforts made by Reaves.</p><p>"We were very fortunate to have her here for the past year," Zelinski said. "We wish her the best at the University of West Virginia."</p><p>Reaves, who took over as CF's coach for Cheryl Rice, guided the Patriots through a rebuilding season that started slowly but finished with some promise.</p><p>CF won four of its final six games to close the regular season and missed qualifying for the FCSAA State Tournament by one game.</p><p>The Patriots finished 7-22 overall under Reaves.</p><p>"The student athletes that I have coached and recruited here are like my own daughters," Reaves said. "I will miss them dearly. Sharing my decision with them was tough, but I told them, they have to continue to work hard so that I can come back and recruit them, and we all felt good about that."</p><p>At WVU, Reaves will be reunited with head coach Mike Carey, who she coached under during her previous stint in Morgantown.</p><p>Reaves was an assistant for the Mountaineers when they reached their first-ever Big East Championship Game in 2006 and lost to UConn.</p><p>"I learned a lot from (Carey)," Reaves said. "I am excited about this opportunity and having the chance to coach in the Big-12."</p><p>Reaves' departure is the second at CF in two days. Softball coach Kerri Ryskamp resigned on Wednedsay.</p>